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19.03.2025
On Wednesday 19 March 2025, the pupils of Ysgol Bro Hyddgen had the special experience of seeing the painting Ovis Alarmed (1973) by Tony Steele-Morgan brought right into their classroom.
This unique opportunity originally stemmed from the National Library of Wales’s participation in ‘Masterpieces in Schools' – a scheme by Art UK to bring children face-to-face with great works of art inside their classroom, breaking down traditional barriers to art.
The outreach day is part of the Library’s wider commitment to promoting contemporary art as part of CELF: National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales. CELF aims to be a beacon of creative opportunity, connecting creators and audiences with the art of Wales today.
As part of the visit, the pupils also worked with local musicians Siôn and Liam Rickard, members of the band Lo-fi Jones to create a brand new song, based around the artwork.
Mabli said:
“Really enjoyed making the song. The picture was interesting, and nobody was sure what the 'ram' was doing. My favorite piece was the butterfly on the frame and the beautiful wildflowers. Because we have done so well, we get to go to the National Library in Aberystwyth – we’re looking forward to it.”
Seren said:
“We had fun sharing ideas with Sion and Liam, and it was fun to see the song come together. Everyone was shouting words that rhyme. We have enjoyed singing about the picture, and they (Sion and Liam) have recorded us.
Finlay said:
“The lesson was cool - I controlled the screen to get the words to the song. When are you coming again?”
On Friday 28 March, the school will then visit the National Library of Wales, to see how the painting is kept safe, and to learn more about the National Collections and how they are preserved in order that future generations can have access to them.
The Library’s work to take art into schools is part of our strategy to reach out to communities across Wales and support participation in cultural, educational and artistic activities for children and young people.
The sessions assist the school in aligning with the Curriculum for Wales, whilst supporting the Learning and Experience Areas of the Humanities, and the Expressive Arts, as well as presenting material that is relevant to the pupils’ cynefin.
** Mae'r datganiad yma hefyd ar gael yn y Gymraeg**
--ENDS--
The National Library of Wales Media Contact
Rhodri ap Dyfrig, Head of Marketing and Audiences
rhodri.apdyfrig@llyfrgell.cymru / 07521761762
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About the National Library of Wales
The National Library of Wales is a library for Wales and the world. Located in Aberystwyth, it is the home of the story of Wales.
Opened in 1907, the Library is the centre of research into the culture and heritage of Wales and the Celtic nations.
The purpose of the Library is to make our culture and heritage accessible for everyone to learn, research and enjoy.
We are a legal deposit library, which means we are entitled to a copy of every print publication in Britain and Ireland, but our collections also include the following:
- 7,000,000 feet of film
- 250,000 hours of video
- 6,000,000 books and newspapers
- 40,000 manuscripts
- 1,500,000 maps
- 150,000 hours of sound
- 950,000 photographs60,000 works of art
- 1,900 cubic meters of archives
You can search the collections online. You will find further information along with a list of resources on our website.
About NLW Education Service
The National Library of Wales Education Service was established in 2002. Its main work is to:
- Deliver a programme of educational activities of a high standard to promote The National Library of Wales and the national collection through the school curriculum.
- Increase awareness among children and young people of the history, culture and heritage of Wales.
- Facilitate access to information for learners and educators and assist them in making the most of our collections by interpreting information in the national collection.
- Increase the Library’s presence, and awareness of the institution and its work, in various parts of Wales.
- Assist the National Library of Wales in delivering the strategic aims set out in A Library for Wales and the World, the National Library of Wales strategic plan for 2021-2026.
- Produce high quality digital resources to assist with the delivery of the school curriculum in Wales, and publish these on Hwb.
- Manage various projects that provide access to the collections to children, young people and adults.
- Support the Welsh Government social inclusion and reducing inequality agendas by working in disadvantaged.
Since 2007 the Education service at the National Library of Wales has been presenting the Library's collections in areas across Wales as part of its outreach programme. These projects are planned and delivered in partnership with local authorities, schools and other organisations, and tailored to meet the needs of the users, as well as meet the requirements of the curriculum in terms of content and skills.
About Masterpieces in Schools
In 2013 Art UK launched Masterpieces in Schools with the aim of bringing children face-to-face with great works of art inside their classroom, breaking down traditional barriers to art. A range of masterpieces were loaned to schools by renowned artists including L. S. Lowry, Monet and Turner.
Following its success, Art UK announced the return of Masterpieces in Schools in 2018, as part of the sculpture project - the largest ever sculpture documentation project undertaken in the UK to date. Once again, artworks will come out of artist studios and the nation’s museums and galleries, and into schools, as sculptures are loaned for the day. The initiative also facilitates relationships between schools and collections in the area.
The Masterpieces in Schools programme is being made possible thanks to generous grants from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
About Ovis Alarmed
Tony Steele-Morgan became well known in Wales in the 1970s for his detailed Surrealist paintings which assemble objects symbolically within landscapes.
In the distance industry can be seen threatening the beauty of the natural world, and the title suggested that Ovis (the ram) is fearful.
But there is hope here too, as traditionally the ram and the butterfly symbolise transformation, endurance and rebirth.